Interactive vehicle window display system with a safe driving reminder system

ABSTRACT

A system for a vehicle includes a user identification subsystem operable to detect a driver; and an interactive display subsystem operable to generate output for display on a vehicle window based on detection of the driver, the output associated with a reminder specific to a questionable driving habit of the driver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure is a Continuation In Part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/175,862, filed Feb. 7, 2014 and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/180,563, filed Feb. 14, 2014, each of whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Disclosure Ser. No.61/878,898, filed Sep. 17, 2013.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle and more particularly tosystems and methods therefor.

Vehicles often include various systems such as infotainment andnavigation systems. These systems are generally provided with a displayaround which mechanical control elements are arranged to provide a userinterface mounted in a dashboard of a vehicle cabin for driver and frontpassenger access. Alternatively, the display combines at least some ofthe control elements into a touch panel display.

Conventionally, a vehicle head unit is a hardware interface located inthe vehicle dash board and enabling user control of vehicle systemsincluding, but not limited to, the vehicle's entertainment media such asAM/FM radio, satellite radio, CDs, MP3s, video; navigations systems suchas GPS navigation; climate controls; communication systems such acellular phones, text, email; and vehicle control functions such aslights, door chimes, speed control and others. Although effective, suchdisplay and control elements necessarily require the user to be withinthe vehicle to operate the system and thereby increase total travel timein the vehicle.

Oftentimes, simply through familiarity with an area, some driversdevelop questionable driving habits in which the driver consistentlydisobeys certain traffic regulations. Simply drawing attention to suchquestionable driving habits may advantageously reduce repetitionthereof.

SUMMARY

The system described herein can be used to deliver safe drivingreminders related to questionable driving characteristics of the driver.The system displays a safe driving reminder page that provides safedriving reminders during “walk-up,” tailored to address one or morequestionable driving habits of the particular driver. The safe drivingreminders can also be tailored during registration of various driverprofiles within the system, such as for a young or elderly driver, tohave greater sensitivity to their questionable driving characteristics.

A system for a vehicle according to one non-limiting embodiment includesa user identification subsystem operable to detect a driver, and aninteractive display subsystem operable to generate output for display ona vehicle window based on detection of the driver. The output isassociated with a reminder specific to a questionable driving habit ofthe driver.

A method of operating a system for a vehicle according to anothernon-limiting embodiment includes detecting a driver of a vehicle, andgenerating output for display on a vehicle window in response todetection of the driver. The output is associated with a reminderspecific to a questionable driving habit of the driver.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise.These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will becomemore apparent in light of the following description and the accompanyingdrawings. It should be understood, however, the following descriptionand drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the disclosed non-limitingembodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can bebriefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of an example vehicle for use withan interactive vehicle window display system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the interactive vehicle windowdisplay system according to one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a partial interior view of the vehicle with the interactivevehicle window display system;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the vehicle illustrating an exterior useridentification subsystem of the interactive vehicle window displaysystem;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial representation of the vehicle illustrating useridentification via a skeletal joint relationship, key fob and/or usergesture;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an algorithm for operation of thesystem according to one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation of an example skeletal jointrelationship recognizable by the system;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an example user gesture recognizable by thesystem;

FIG. 9 is an example landing page displayed by the interactive vehiclewindow display system;

FIG. 10 is an example route page displayed by the interactive vehiclewindow display system;

FIG. 11 is an example calendar page displayed by the interactive vehiclewindow display system;

FIG. 12 is an example weather page displayed by the interactive vehiclewindow display system;

FIG. 13 is an example vehicle status page displayed by the interactivevehicle window display system;

FIG. 14 is an example to-do page displayed by the interactive vehiclewindow display system;

FIG. 15 is a partial interior view of a vehicle cabin illustrating aninteractive environment for the driver and/or passengers to utilizefunctionalities of a vehicle head unit;

FIG. 16 is a partial interior view of the vehicle cabin illustratingdiscrimination of a driver and/or passenger to selectively permitutilization of functionalities of a vehicle head unit during vehicleoperation;

FIG. 17 is a pictorial representation of a vehicle passenger facial mapfor use with the system to track occupant location;

FIG. 18 is an overhead interior view of the vehicle illustrating asensor arrangement to track occupant location within the vehicle cabin;and

FIG. 19 is an example safe driving reminder page displayed by theinteractive vehicle window display system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system for a vehicle to deliver safe driving reminders related toquestionable driving characteristics of the driver is disclosed. Thesystem displays a safe driving reminder page that provides safe drivingreminders during “walk-up,” tailored to address one or more questionabledriving habits of the particular driver. The system identifies andrecords questionable driving characteristics and determines that thesequestionable driving characteristics are a questionable driving habit togenerate the safe driving reminders for display on the safe drivingreminder page. The threshold for a questionable driving habit to begenerated from the questionable driving characteristics may be manuallyand/or automatically set. The safe driving reminders can also betailored during registration of various driver profiles within thesystem, such as for a young or elderly driver, to have greatersensitivity to their questionable driving characteristics.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle 20 with a window 22 and aninteractive vehicle window display system 30. Although the window 22 ishere shown as a driver's side passenger window of a minivan type vehiclein the disclosed, non-limiting embodiment, it should be appreciated thatvarious vehicle types and windows will also benefit herefrom.

With reference to FIG. 2, selected portions of the system 30 areschematically illustrated. The system 30 generally includes aninteractive display subsystem 32, a control subsystem 34, a user inputsubsystem 36, a user identification subsystem 38, and a user locationsubsystem 39. It should be appreciated that although particularsubsystems are separately defined, each or any of the subsystems may becombined or segregated via hardware and/or software of the system 30.Additionally, each or any of the subsystems can be implemented using oneor more computing devices including conventional central processingunits or other devices capable of manipulating or processinginformation.

The interactive display subsystem 32 can include any device or devicescapable of displaying images on a vehicle window 22 under the control ofsystem 30, and can be adapted for viewing from outside the vehicle,inside the vehicle, or both. In one non-limiting example the interactivedisplay subsystem 32 can include a display device integral to the window22, such as an LCD. Such a display can be illuminated by ambient lightor by one or more light sources under the control of system 30. Suchlight sources can be mounted at any operable locations enabling lightemission onto a window from inside or outside the vehicle, depending onwhether the display is to be viewed by a user located outside or insidethe vehicle. Examples of such mounting locations can include in thefloor, in the vehicle headliner, within the vehicle door structure, orin the exterior door panel.

In another non-limiting example, the interactive display subsystem 32can include a coating 40 and a projector 42. The coating 40, forexample, may be a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film, appliedto the window 22 to provide both transparency when inactive and partialor complete opacity when active. The window 22 treated with the coating40 is thereby operable to display content as a projection page visiblefrom outside and/or inside the vehicle 20 (FIG. 1). The projector 42 canbe mounted in the floor (FIG. 3) or other locations within the vehicle20, such as the vehicle headliner or within the vehicle door structureas well as in locations on the vehicle exterior such as in an exteriordoor panel. The illustrated shaded area extending from the projector 42toward the window 22 schematically represents the projection of outputin the form of content pages provided by the projector 42. In responseto the approach of a recognized user, the coating 40 changes fromtransparent to opaque so that the projector 42 may project the outputonto the window 22.

As will be further described, the displayed content can includepersonalized information or entertainment content such as videos, games,maps, navigation, vehicle diagnostics, calendar information, weatherinformation, vehicle climate controls, vehicle entertainment controls,email, internet browsing, or any other interactive applicationsassociated with the recognized user, whether the information originatesonboard and/or off board the vehicle 20.

The control subsystem 34 generally includes a control module 50 with aprocessor 52, a memory 54, and an interface 56. The processor 52 may beany type of microprocessor having desired performance characteristics.The memory 54 may include any type of computer readable medium whichstores the data and control algorithms described herein such as a usersupport system algorithm 58. The functions of the algorithm 58 aredisclosed in terms of functional block diagrams (FIG. 6) andrepresentative pages (FIGS. 9-14), and it should be understood by thoseskilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure that thesefunctions may be enacted in either dedicated hardware circuitry orprogrammed software routines capable of execution in a microprocessorbased electronics control embodiment.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the control module 50 may be aportion of a central vehicle control, a stand-alone unit, or othersystem such as a cloud-based system. Other operational software for theprocessor 52 may also be stored in the memory 54. The interface 56facilitates communication with other subsystems such as the interactivedisplay subsystem 32, the user input subsystem 36, the useridentification subsystem 38, and the user location subsystem 39. Itshould be understood that the interface 56 may also communicate withother onboard vehicle systems and offboard vehicle systems. Onboardsystems include but are not limited to, a vehicle head unit 300 whichcommunicates with vehicle sensors that provide, for example, vehicletire pressure, fuel level and other vehicle diagnostic information.Offboard vehicle systems can provide information which includes but isnot limited to, weather reports, traffic, and other information whichmay be provided via cloud 70.

The user input subsystem 36 can include one or more input sensorsincluding onboard input sensors 60, offboard input devices, or both.Onboard input sensors 60 can include one or more motion cameras or otherlight sensors configured to detect gesture commands, one or more touchsensors configured to detect touch commands, one or more microphonesconfigured to detect voice commands, or other onboard devices configuredto detect user input. The user input subsystem can also include offboardinput devices such as a key fob 62 and/or a personal electronic device63 of the user, e.g. a tablet, smart phone, or other mobile device.

In some instances, at least one onboard input sensor 60 or offboardinput device can be integrated into, or operate in conjunction with, theinteractive display subsystem 32. In one non-limiting example, theinteractive display subsystem 32 includes an LCD display integrated intoa window 22 and can operate in conjunction with one or more touchsensors integrated into the window 22, causing the window to function asa touchscreen. In another non-limiting example, the interactive displaysubsystem 32 includes a projector 42 and coating 40 on the window 22 andcan operate in conjunction with one or more motion detectors configuredto detect user gesture commands, causing the window to operate as agesture-based interactive display. Subsystem combinations involving theinteractive display subsystem 32 and the user input subsystem andenabling user interaction with a display on a vehicle window 22 will bereferred to herein as an interactive window display.

The user identification subsystem 38 includes one or more identificationsensors 64 such as a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, infrared,thermal or other sensor mounted to the vehicle 20 to provide a desiredfield of view external to the vehicle 20 as shown in FIG. 4, internal tothe vehicle, or both. One example user identification subsystem 38 canrecognize the driver and/or passenger based on image data captured byidentification sensors 64, e.g. a skeletal joint relationship 66 and/orother user form data (FIG. 5), separate from, or along with, wirelessdevices such as the key fob 62 associated with that particular driverand/or passenger. Based at least in part on this identification, thesystem 30 provides access to interactive interfaces on the interactivedisplay subsystem 32 associated with the particular driver and/orpassenger.

The system 30 can store user profiles of known users, the user profilesincluding identification information relevant to individual users. Forexample, a user profile can contain skeleton joint relationship data orfacial recognition data useable by the user identification subsystem 38to identify or authenticate a user. A user profile can additionallycontain personal interest information, such as personal calendar andevent information, driving/destination history, web browsing history,entertainment preferences, climate preferences, etc. In some variations,any or all information contained in a user profile can be stored on orshared with a personal electronic device 63, remote server, or othercloud 70 based system. Such offboard storage or sharing of user profiledata can facilitate utilization of user profile data in other vehiclessuch as any additional vehicles owned by the user, rental vehicles, etc.Such user profile data can be secured by being accessible through apassword protected application running on the cloud 70 based system, bybiometric authentication, or by other effective means.

In some instances, a user profile can additionally contain user accessinformation; data pertaining to whether the user is allowed to control agiven vehicle function. For example, the user profile associated with auser can indicate full user access, or function control rights for thatuser. This can be analogous to the control rights of the administratorof a personal computer. A user profile can alternatively indicaterestricted user access. For example, the user profile associated with achild can be set to block the user from accessing certain audio or videocontrols, the navigation system, altering user profiles, or the like.

Registration of various user profiles with the system 30 can becompleted in any manner, for example, over the internet or with a directvehicle interface. User profiles can be based on the identities ofindividual users known to or registered with the system, or to usercategories, such as “unknown user”, or “valet”. In different variations,a default user category such as “unknown user” or “valet” can beassociated with limited, default access, or can be associated with noaccess, i.e. complete prohibition of access to the system 30.

The user location subsystem 39, operable to determine the location ofone or more users inside or outside the vehicle, includes one or morelocation sensors 66 such as a pressure sensor, temperature sensor, orcamera deployed inside or outside the vehicle. In some cases, a devicecan serve as both an identification sensor 64 and a location sensor 66.For example, a camera mounted within the vehicle can provide informationon a user's specific identity, by means described above, and on theuser's location within the vehicle, such as the driver's seat or thefront-row passenger's seat. In some cases, elements of the interactivedisplay subsystem 32 can also operate as location sensors 66 within theuser location subsystem 39. For example, pressure sensors within a smartscreen or motion detectors operating as part of an interactive displaycan be used to obtain user location information.

In some instances, user access can be based on user location asdetermined by the user location subsystem 39. For example, second orthird row passengers can be allowed or disallowed access to variousvehicle functions such as the navigation system. Optionally, a user witha user profile that is associated with unlimited access per the accessinformation associated with the user profile can specify such settings.In some instances, user access can be based on a combination of the userprofile as applied by the user identification subsystem 38, and the userlocation as detected by the user location subsystem 39. For example, auser with unlimited access as specified by the applied user profile cannonetheless be blocked from accessing certain vehicle functions whenoccupying the driver's seat of a moving vehicle.

With reference to FIG. 6, operation of the system 30 according to onedisclosed non-limiting embodiment generally includes a sleeper mode 100,a watcher mode 102 and a user mode 104. It should be appreciated thatother modes may additionally or alternatively be provided.

If the system 30 is active but has yet to detect a user, the system 30will be in sleeper mode 100 until awakened by the user identificationsubsystem 38. After detection but prior to identification by the system30, the watcher mode 102 may be utilized to interact with authenticatedas well as un-authenticated persons. For example, when a personapproaches the vehicle 20, the system 30 recognizes the direction fromwhich the person has approached then activates the interactive displaysubsystem 32 to display an avatar, eyes or other graphic. The graphicmay be directed specifically toward the direction from which the personapproaches, e.g., the graphical eyes “look” toward their approach.Alternatively, an audio capability allows the system 30 to respond tocommands and initiate interaction from a blind side of the vehicle 20,i.e., a side without the interactive display subsystem 32. The watchermode 102 utilizes the user identification subsystem 38 to discriminatebetween authenticated and un-authenticated persons.

The user mode 104 allows a user with a known operator and/or passengeruser profile in the system 30 to make decisions on approach to thevehicle 20 so that so that certain vehicle interactions need not awaitentry into the vehicle 20. The user mode 104 reduces distractionsthrough the reduction of travel-associated decisions from the driver'scognitive, visual and manual workload streams once within the vehicle20. In furtherance of this, the user is presented with an overview ofinformation to include, for example, weather, traffic, calendar eventsand vehicle health. As will be further described, predictive functionsof the system 30 identify likely actions, and offer optimal paths tocompletion, such as planning an efficient route.

A maximum range of content provision by the interactive displaysubsystem 32 may be associated with a maximum distance at which thatcontent can be effectively interacted with by the user. In one disclosednon-limiting embodiment, the maximum range of each content feature isprioritized with respect to legibility range of content displayed by theinteractive display subsystem 32. This range metric facilitates thedetermination of the order in which content appears in the walkupexperience. Access to prioritized content with greater maximum rangeallows the walkup experience to begin further from the vehicle 20 toprovide the user with more overall time to interact with the system 30.

In one disclosed non-limiting embodiment, the system 30 utilizes amulti-factor authentication for security and authorization. Examplemulti-factor authentication may include the key fob 62, skeleton jointrelationship recognition (FIG. 5), and/or a gesture password (FIG. 8).The user may be provisionally identified with one of these factors, butmay require a total of at least two factors to authenticate the userprior to display of certain content. That is, the user will not begranted access to all the features in user mode 104 until a multi-factorauthentication is passed and the user is within a predetermine range ofthe vehicle 20. This authentication process ensures the security of thevehicle and the personal information embedded in the system 30. In onedisclosed non-limiting embodiment, the first authentication factor isthe key fob 62 and the second is the skeleton joint relationship (FIG.7) of the user. If the user does not have their key fob 62, the skeletonjoint relationship may become the first authentication factor and agesture password such as a wave or particular arm movement (FIG. 8)becomes the second.

The key fob 62 in one disclosed non-limiting embodiment may be encryptedto uniquely identify each user to the system 30. Additional securityprotocols such as a rolling time key to ensure that even the encryptedkey cannot be intercepted and re-used by unauthorized devices mayadditionally be utilized.

Once the key fob 62 is recognized, the user will be welcomed andpre-authenticated to allow limited access to selected content in theuser mode 104. This will provide the user with enough time to cyclethrough multiple content features during the walkup experience, yetmaintain security with respect to other content features e.g., adestination. Once the user has been fully authenticated, all contentfeatures, e.g. destination made during the pre-authenticated state, arevalidated for display. If the authentication fails, the user will not begranted access to the vehicle 20 or any sensitive information. Thesystem 30 in this disclosed non-limiting embodiment allowspre-authenticated access at about 30-40 feet and full access at about15-25 feet from the vehicle.

With respect to FIG. 7, to provide further authentication, the system 30is operable to recognize a user by his skeleton joint relationships.Skeleton joint relationships in this disclosed non-limiting embodimentfacilitate pre-authentication but not full authentication that grantsfull access to the vehicle 20. However, if the user has beenpre-authenticated via the key fob 62, a matching skeleton jointrelationship will fully authenticate the user. That is, the useridentification subsystem 38 may utilize skeleton joint relationships asthe second point of identification.

With reference to FIG. 9, once authenticated, the “landing” or “home”page 200 provides a summary of alerts and important information to theuser. The landing page 200 provides the user with a readily reviewableoverview of the status of the vehicle and how it may affect his scheduleand activities. In this example, the content includes time information,vehicle diagnostic information, and personal calendar information. Hereshown, a low fuel warning is provided in addition to a traffic-basedroute update for use by the vehicle navigation system and a calendarevent reminder to “Pick up Kids in 20 minutes.” In another example, thesystem 30 will include a fuel station as a stop during route guidance ifthe destination is a distance greater than the available fuel range.Notably, preferred fuel stations or other stops may be predefined in theuser profile.

The landing page 200 further displays a plurality of icons to indicateadditional content pages that can be viewed by the authorized user. Thelanding page 200 itself may be accessed on each content page as an iconsuch as a vehicle manufacturer mark icon on each content page. Thelanding page 200 allows the authorized user to understand what vehiclesystems or personal user profile items may require further attention andprovides access to additional content feature details with regard tothese items in the form of navigable icons that lead to additionalcontent pages. The landing page 200 can additionally or alternativelyintegrate an interactive display, for example, a smart page or videogame. Other interactive vehicle display page configurations are alsopossible.

Selection of content is accomplished with, for example, the key fob 62,user gestures, voice commands, touch inputs, etc. In one example, theuser utilizes the key fob 62 to cycle through various pages displayed bythe interactive display subsystem 32. In one example, the key fob 62 mayinclude a four button directional pad and two auxiliary buttons.Alternatively, hand gestures may be used to “swipe” between pages. Itshould be appreciated that although particular pages are illustrated inthe disclosed non-limiting embodiment, various alternative or additionalpages may be provided.

With reference to FIG. 10, a route page 202 defaults to the predictedbest route for the user with respect to an explicit or inferred nextdestination. Any alternate destinations or routes that can be explicitor inferred with confidence from, for example, a user personalelectronic device, are presented to permit user selection by scrollingthrough the options. The suggested route screen is here shown accessedusing the folded-map icon, however, other icons may be utilized.

With reference to FIG. 11, a calendar page 204 displays the user'scalendar. In this example, the view is near-term, and shows only thenext 2-3 upcoming appointments. If the event includes locationinformation the user is also given the option to use the event fordestination selection. Here shown, the calendar page 204 providescontent with respect to the next appointment highlighted for the userand provides a reminder to “Pick Up Kids.” The calendar screen is hereshown accessed using a flip calendar icon, however, other icons may beutilized.

With reference to FIG. 12, a weather page 206 leverages informationabout the route to provide relevant weather information—this may beespecially effective when the user is travelling away from home. Forexample, the system 30 determines whether it is more valuable to presentthe user with local weather information, destination weatherinformation, or both, depending on the settings selected by the user orthe type of weather information available. Here shown, the weatherforecast is chronological. The weather page 206 can be accessed with asun icon, however, other icons may be utilized. In addition, weatherconditions can be utilized to generate a reminder for display on thelanding screen 200 that, for example, suggests an umbrella be placed inthe vehicle if rain is forecasted.

With reference to FIG. 13, a vehicle status page 208 provides the userwith a view of impending vehicle maintenance needs that requiresattention. Notifications can include source details of the notification,severity, and options to resolve the potential issue. For example, giventhe notification of “Low Fuel,” the system 30 can suggest a route to anearby fuel station within the range of the vehicle. The vehicle statuspage 208 is here shown accessed with a vehicle icon, however, othericons may be utilized.

With reference to FIG. 14, a to-do list page 210 presents the authorizeduser with information from any associated to-do list available on, forexample, that user's personal electronic device 63, remote device, orweb service. Here shown, the recognized user is tasked to “SendPackage,” “Submit Taxes,” and “Renew Car Registration,” among otheritems. The to-do list page 210 can alternatively be integrated into theroute selection page if location information is included in a given listitem in the personal electronic device to-do list. An example of thisintegration includes the provision of route details to a dry cleaner ifthe dry cleaning pickup is on the to-do list and the current route isproximate to the location of the dry cleaner location. The to-do listpage is here shown accessed using a check-mark icon, however, othericons may be utilized.

As noted above, information of this nature, which can be included in auser profile, can in some variations be stored on or shared with apersonal electronic device 63, remote server, or other cloud 70 basedsystem, facilitating utilization in more than one vehicle. Any suchinformation can be secured by being accessible through a passwordprotected application running on the cloud 70 based system, by biometricauthentication, or by other effective means. In some such variations, afirst user can be granted partial or complete access to a second user'sprofile by password sharing, for example. Such sharing of access couldenable a first user to write reminders or tasks from a remote locationto the user profile of a second user, such as a family member, such thatthe reminders or tasks written by the first user will be displayed on awindow when the second user approaches or enters the vehicle, or anyvehicle equipped with system 30 enabled to access the user profile ofthe second user.

With reference to FIG. 15, user access to various vehicle functions caninclude direct or remote access to utilize functionalities of a vehiclehead unit 300. With the interactivity between the vehicle head unit 300and the system 30, and in particular between the vehicle head unit 300and various interactive window displays, passengers can make selectionswith regard to vehicle systems typically performed by driver and in somecases only when the vehicle is stationary. Allowing only passengers tointeract with certain vehicle systems while the vehicle is in motionincreases safety by minimization of driver distraction. Passengerinteraction can also enable greater functionality for the system 30. Forexample, a front-seat passenger can be offered more menu selections thanthe driver, while 2nd and 3rd row passengers can be offered even greatermenu selections than the front-seat passenger. In these embodiments, thepassengers can take over portions of the driver workload.

The vehicle passengers may, for example, interact with the system 30 andthereby the vehicle head unit 300 via an interactive window display orthrough a personal electronic device such as a smart phone or tabletwhich communicates therewith, through Bluetooth, RFID or other wirelesstechnology standards to exchange data. Further, the system 30 may permitthe formation of personal area networks (PANs) for vehicle passengers toshare information. For example, a passenger's personal electronic devicemay include a mapping app operable to communicate with the vehiclenavigation system on the vehicle head unit 300 with no features lockedout such that the passenger can search destinations and selectively sendto the vehicle navigation system via the vehicle head unit 300.

Interaction of the system 30 with the vehicle head unit 300 also allowsthe driver and/or passengers to select content for other vehiclepassengers and/or the driver. For example, one of the passengers canselect a destination to display on the navigation system for the driverwhile the vehicle is in motion. In another example, the driver canselect entertainment content for display to child passengers. In yetanother example, the passenger can control infotainment or climatecontrol features controlled by the vehicle head unit 300.

With reference to FIG. 16, and in one non-limiting example of theoperation of the user location subsystem 39, to still further increasesafety through driver distraction minimization, the system 30, byutilizing user location subsystem 39, is operable to track the locationor position of the vehicle occupants within the vehicle cabin 400 (FIG.18) through skeletal position (FIG. 16), facial map data (FIG. 17),pressure sensors, interactive window display input sensors, or others.For a three row vehicle, for example, three distinct areas aretracked—front row, middle row and rear row. Typically, at least twosensors 402 per row are required to track a state of each occupantwithin the vehicle 20. In some instances, each individual seat in thevehicle 20 can be tracked. The data from all sensors 402 mayalternatively or additionally be combined to create one central map (2Dor 3D) for use by the system 30. It should be appreciated that thesensors 402 may communicate with, or be a portion of, the useridentification subsystem 38, the user location subsystem 39, or both.

Given that the vehicle occupants are typically seated and belted, themulti-point skeletal joint relationship and facial recognition map dataprovides a relatively accurate position of each occupant captured on anXYZ axis map that can track, to a desired level of precision, the stateof each occupant at a specific snapshot in time. The state of eachoccupant facilitates further tailored operations for various vehiclefunctions. For example, the user location subsystem 39 detects anddiscriminates between a driver's hand from that of a vehicle front rowpassenger hand to selectively unlock various head unit functionalitysuch as navigation route selection (FIG. 16). Dependent, for example, onwhich user (driver or passenger) is attempting to access the system 30and whether the vehicle is in motion, content menu items of the vehiclehead unit 300 are selectively displayed. For example, certain contentsuch as route selection may be color coded for only passenger access,while other content such as zooming and scrolling may always beavailable regardless of user.

Upon approach to the vehicle, the system 30 beneficially recognizes auser with a first and second point of identification to displayinformation for that particular, authorized user. This authenticationprocess ensures the security of the vehicle and the personal informationembedded in the system 30 yet permits vehicle interaction prior to userentry into the vehicle cabin. The system 30 also beneficiallydiscriminates passengers from the driver to selectively permit access topersonalized content or specific vehicle system interfaces.

With reference to FIG. 19, a safe driving reminder page 500 providessafe driving reminders during “walk-up” or at other times such as uponexit of the vehicle 20. The safe driving reminder page 500 is tailoredto address one or more questionable driving habits of the particulardriver. Identification and recording of questionable drivingcharacteristics by the system 30 may be readily achieved through, forexample, identification of the driver as described above, recognition ofspeed limits on particular roads based on a GPS database, and the pastaverage, and maximum speed, of the vehicle on each particular road bythat particular driver.

Questionable driving characteristics are identified, and recorded overtime by the system 30. Examples of such questionable drivingcharacteristics include speeding, and running stop signs. Thequestionable driving characteristics determine what is essentially aparticular questionable driving habit and thereby generate the safedriving reminders. The questionable driving characteristics may also betailored by particular demographic characteristics, such as age of thedriver, that are preprogrammed into the system 30. That is, thepreprogrammed demographic characteristics may effect the determinationof a questionable driving habit.

A questionable driving habit, as defined herein, is a questionabledriving characteristic that is repeated a statistically significantnumber of times. The questionable driving characteristic is thenutilized to generate a safe driving reminder. For example, the system 30identifies that a particular driver habitually exceeds a posted speedlimit, or rolls through a particular stop sign, as a questionabledriving characteristic. The system 30 records instances of thesequestionable driving characteristics, then determines that either orboth of these questionable driving characteristics are a questionabledriving habit. Specific safe driving reminders are then generatedtherefrom.

For example, when a particular driver that has the questionable drivinghabit of habitually driving above the speed limit on Cranbrook Roadrecorded in the system 30, the system 30 displays a safe drivingreminder such as “Please Remember That The Speed Limit On Cranbrook RoadIs 30 MPH” during the “walk-up” to the vehicle. It should be appreciatedthat various other safe driving reminders may be crafted in response tothe questionable driving habits determined by the system 30. The safedriving reminders may also be delivered audibly.

The threshold for a questionable driving habit to be determined to be aquestionable driving characteristic may be manually and/or automaticallyset. That is, the threshold in the system 30 may require but one, ormany, recurrences of a questionable driving characteristic prior to suchquestionable driving characteristic being classified as a questionabledriving habit that triggers an appropriate safe driving reminder. Thestatistically significant number of times may be calculated, presetwithin the system 30, or otherwise set or modified by the user tocontrol the generation and display of the questionable driving habit.The statistically significant number of times may additionally betailored to certain preprogrammed demographic characteristics such as anelderly, young, or inexperienced driver.

In another disclosed non-limiting embodiment, the safe driving remindersmay be still further tailored during registration of various driverprofiles within the system 30 to have greater sensitivity to theirquestionable driving characteristics. That is, the safe drivingreminders may only be applicable, or may be particularly sensitive toparticular users, e.g., a parent programs the system 30 with a profilefor a young driver, or a caregiver programs the system 30 for theprofile of an elderly driver.

The use of the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar references in thecontext of the description (especially in the context of the followingclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or specifically contradicted bycontext. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity isinclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by thecontext (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity). All ranges disclosed herein areinclusive of the endpoints.

Although the different non-limiting embodiments have specificillustrated components, the embodiments of this invention are notlimited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some ofthe components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments incombination with features or components from any of the othernon-limiting embodiments.

It should be appreciated that like reference numerals identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. Itshould also be appreciated that although a particular componentarrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, otherarrangements will benefit herefrom.

Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, itshould be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separatedor combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from thepresent disclosure.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by thelimitations within. Various non-limiting embodiments are disclosedherein, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize thatvarious modifications and variations in light of the above teachingswill fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is therefore to beappreciated that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosuremay be practiced other than as specifically described. For that reasonthe appended claims should be studied to determine true scope andcontent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for a vehicle, comprising: a useridentification subsystem operable to detect and identify a driver whenthe driver is outside the vehicle; and an interactive display subsystemoperable to generate output for display on a vehicle window based ondetection and identification of the driver, the output displayed on aside window of the vehicle and adapted for viewing from outside thevehicle, the output associated with a reminder specific to aquestionable driving habit of the driver.
 2. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the interactive display subsystem includes a projectoroperable to project the output toward the vehicle window, the vehiclewindow being a driver side passenger window.
 3. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the output includes a safe driving reminder page. 4.The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the output includes a visualrepresentation of one or more pages, each one of the one or more pagesselectable through a user input subsystem after detection of the driverby the user identification subsystem.
 5. The system as recited in claim4, wherein each one of the one or more pages is selectable through a keyfob in communication with the user input subsystem.
 6. The system asrecited in claim 4, wherein each one of the one or more pages isselectable through a gesture identified by the user input subsystem. 7.The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a control subsystemin communication with said user identification subsystem and saidinteractive display subsystem.
 8. The system as recited in claim 7,wherein said control subsystem is operable to identify and record aquestionable driving characteristic.
 9. The system as recited in claim8, wherein the questionable driving characteristic includes a trafficviolation.
 10. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein said useridentification subsystem includes at least one user profile, the userprofile including an age of the driver.
 11. The system as recited inclaim 8, wherein the reminder specific to the questionable driving habitof the driver includes a safe driving reminder determined in response tothe questionable driving characteristic occurring a statisticallysignificant number of times.
 12. A method of operating a system for avehicle, comprising: identifying a user of a vehicle when the user islocated outside the vehicle; and generating output for display on avehicle side window in response to identification of the user, theoutput adapted for viewing from outside the vehicle and associated witha reminder specific to a questionable driving habit of the driver. 13.The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the output is visible on theoutside of a vehicle window.
 14. The method as recited in claim 12,wherein the output displayed is based, at least in part, on an age ofthe driver.
 15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the outputdisplayed is based, at least in part, on a questionable drivingcharacteristic of the driver.
 16. The method as recited in claim 12,further comprising identifying a questionable driving characteristic.17. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising recording thequestionable driving characteristic.
 18. The method as recited in claim16, further comprising determining a statistically significant number ofquestionable driving characteristics to determine the questionabledriving habit of the driver.
 19. The system as recited in claim 1,wherein the user identification subsystem is operable to authenticatethe driver.
 20. The method as recited in claim 12, comprisingauthenticating the user.